Four point field goal

ABSTRACT

A method of stimulating competition between competing football teams and adding to spectator interest. The method comprises the step of allowing a four point field goal attempt in a final quarter of a football game when certain predetermined conditions are met.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/636,709 filed Dec. 16, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to the game of football and,more particularly, this invention relates to an improved method ofscoring in which a field goal may count for four points.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The game of football is followed by countless millions of peoplethroughout the Unite States. Whether the game is a game between highschool teams, college teams or professional teams there will be manypeople watching the game either in person or on television.

One problem that is encountered with the game of football or with anyother sporting event whose format is based on time basis is that when ateam is losing and can=t score enough points because time is running outthe interest is lost because the outcome is already decided.

It would be advantageous to stimulate competition and spectator interestif there were an alternate means for the losing team to tie the score.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of stimulating competitionbetween competing football teams and adding to spectator interest. Themethod comprises the step of allowing a four point field goal attempt ina final quarter of a football game when certain predetermined conditionsare met.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention toprovide a four point field goal concept.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for alosing team to overcome a four point lead in the last quarter.

Yet, another object of the present invention is to provide a change inthe rules of football to provide for a four point field goal undercertain circumstances.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention whichhave been described in some specific detail above it should be notedthat various other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in therelevant art from the following more detailed description, particularlywhen such description is taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVEEMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a change in the rules of football inwhich there is provided for a four point field goal under certaincircumstances, thereby providing a method of stimulating competitionbetween competing football teams and adding to spectator interest. Themethod comprises the step of allowing a four point field goal attempt ina final quarter of a football game when certain predetermined conditionsare met. Such a four point field goal would be analogous to the Atwo-point conversion that was instituted years ago for a similarpurpose.

The invention provides that such four point field goal can only beattempted in the fourth quarter. Further, such four point field goal;can be attempted on any down but it must be in the fourth quarter. Theteam electing to attempt a four point field goal must have advanced theball to the opponents 10 yard line or less.

In attempting the four point field goal the ball is placed on the 33yard line which means that it would necessitate a kick of substantially50 yards. This would be 33 yards from the opponents goal line, add 10yards because the goal posts are at the back of the end zone (10 yards)and seven yards where the holder holds the ball. Thus, it makes for adifficult field goal and probably would only be used in the pros sincethe difficulty would be extremely great for high school football gamesand probably most college games since it is still a difficult kick evenfor the pros. However, it is within the concept of the invention thatsuch invention with some minor modifications could be adapted to a highschool format.

If the attempt is successful then four points are awarded to the kickingteam and a kick off to the opposing team is in order (this is providingthat there is still time left on the clock). All other possibilitiesregarding attempted field goals (i.e. missed, blocked, etc.) aregoverned by the existing NFL or NCAA rules. There is one exception tothe above rules and that pertains to games played at stadia who have afield elevation of 3000 ft or more above mean sea level (MSL). Thisexception is that the kick is executed from the 43 yard line rather thanthe 33 yard line since at the higher elevations the ball tends to travelfarther. Thus, the kick in these circumstances would be substantially a60 yard attempt.

There are no limits involving the number of times the four point fieldgoal can be attempted, providing that the team qualifies according tothe aforementioned conditions. However, since the team attempting such akick must have advanced the ball to within the ten yard line it would beunlikely that the kick would be attempted while there is significanttime on the clock. However, such a kick would be a welcome possibilityif a team were down by four points late in the fourth quarter with verylittle time left on the clock.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of thepresent invention have been described in detail above, it should beunderstood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of theinvention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled inthe art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims.

1. A method of stimulating competition between competing football teamsand adding to spectator interest, said method comprising the step ofallowing a four point field goal attempt in a final quarter of afootball game when certain predetermined conditions are met.
 2. Themethod, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined conditionsinclude such team electing to attempt a four point field goal must haveadvanced the ball to at least the opponents 15 yard line.
 3. The method,according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined conditions furtherinclude such ball is then placed on opponents 33 yard line, therebynecessitating a kick of substantially 50 yards.
 4. The method, accordingto claim 3, wherein said predetermined conditions further include thatif such field goal is successful 4 points are awarded to such kickingteam and such team must kickoff to such opposing team provided there isstill time left in such game.
 5. The method, according to claim 4,wherein said predetermined conditions further include that there is nolimit involving a number of times that such four point field goal may beutilized providing that such attempting team qualifies according to saidpredetermined conditions.
 6. The method, according to claim 1, whereinall other possibilities regarding attempted field goals are governed bysuch current rules in force by one of such NCAA and NFL.
 7. The method,according to claim 3, wherein said predetermined conditions furtherinclude that if said four point field goal is attempted at a field wheresuch field's elevation is at or above 3000 feet MSL, such kick must beexecuted from such opponents 43 yard line necessitating a kick ofsubstantially 60 yards.
 8. The method, according to claim 1, whereinsaid four point field goal can be attempted on any down.